A new CEO at Askalon

It’s been 52 years since Kjell Warnqvist founded what is today one of the Nordic region’s leading players in the valve industry. The CEO role was passed down to his son Mats, who is now handing it over to Joel Frödin.
- It feels reassuring to pass the helm to Joel, says Mats Warnqvist after nearly 30 years as CEO.

Let’s go back to the early 1970s. Scanraff – now Preem – is about to build Scandinavia’s largest and most modern refinery in Lysekil. Kjell Warnqvist, with strong industry contacts, ensures that Fisher valves are delivered on time for the project. He founds Peab Processinstrument & Elektro AB, marking the beginning of a success story.

By the time the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, it has 19 employees, a turnover of 30 million SEK, business in Finland, and offers complete control valve service at the Peab Technical Center. In 1997, Kjell’s son Mats takes over as CEO.

Switching to Peab
Two years later, the name is shortened to Peab Process AB, and over the next ten years, the company outgrows its facilities. The strong partnership with Emerson’s brand Fisher continues in Sweden, and Peab takes over the distribution rights in both Denmark and Finland.
- When we open in Finland, we have to change our name because ‘Peab’ is already protected there, says Mats Warnqvist. The parent company is renamed Askalon, after a horse owned by a family friend. So we make the switch. From 2010, we’re called Askalon and the parent company is Peab.
By 2017, the company has nearly 60 employees and represents a wide range of Emerson’s valve brands. Emerson acquires Pentair Valves & Controls, expanding the product portfolio. Askalon acquires the valve division of Eriks Armatur and takes on nearly 20 employees in sales and service. Askalon now has exclusive rights to market Emerson valve brands previously under Pentair, such as Keystone, Sempell, and Vanessa.
- The acquisition means that we have to hire more support functions. So we grow from 60 to 100 employees in just about a year.

Acquired by Momentum Group
The same year Askalon celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is acquired by Momentum Group from the Warnqvist family. Momentum Group had previously acquired Askalon’s sister company, Intertechna.
- Momentum Group is a great buyer, and now I have a strong successor who knows the organization well and has a good relationship with Emerson. The stars have aligned, says Mats Warnqvist.
Joel Frödin has worked as sales manager for the Swedish organization at Askalon since 2018.
- Saying yes was an easy decision when I got the offer, he says. This is a great organization.
What will be the biggest challenge in your new role?
- To think about the entire organization, not just Sweden. There’s a lot to learn, but the organization knows me and we have a strong management team. I have COO Jörgen Lindahl, who is a vital and stable support.
Since the beginning of the year, Joel Frödin has served as acting CEO. On May 9, he formally assumes the role.
When asked what three pieces of advice he would give his successor, Mats Warnqvist replies:
- Be flexible, listen to the organization – there’s a lot of knowledge here. And finally: value the relationship with Emerson.
For Mats Warnqvist, who has lived and breathed Askalon his entire adult life, stepping down on May 9 will be a major change.
- Askalon has been everything. It will be a big shift for me, who has lived with Askalon 24/7. But I feel completely confident in handing over to Joel.